Valve microfluidic chip

Abstract

The application discloses a valve type micro-fluidic chip, and belongs to the field of micro-fluidics, which comprises a main body, the main body is provided with a storage area and a detection area, the main body is further provided with a first communication port and a second communication port, the first communication port is communicated with the storage area, the second communication port is communicated with the detection area, the valve type micro-fluidic chip further comprises a rotary valve, the rotary valve is provided with a communication groove, the rotary valve is rotatably installed on the main body, when the rotary valve rotates to a first position, the communication groove is communicated with the first communication port and the second communication port, so that the storage area is communicated with the detection area; when the rotary valve rotates to a second position, the communication groove is staggered with the first communication port and / or the second communication port, the storage area is disconnected with the detection area, through the above design, the on-off of the storage area and the detection area can be controlled by rotating the rotary valve, the operation is simple, and the overall structure of the chip is simple.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of microfluidics, and more particularly to valve-type microfluidic chips. Background Technology

[0002] Microfluidic chip analysis systems primarily manipulate fluids within microchannels to perform functions such as sampling, dilution, injection, reaction, separation, and analysis within the chip system. Researching microfluidic actuation technologies adapted to microchannels is a prerequisite and foundation for achieving microfluidic control. The actuation and control of microfluidics differ significantly from that of macrofluidics, mainly due to changes in fluid flow characteristics caused by the reduced scale. These changes in flow characteristics often result in unsuccessful or ineffective simple transfer of macrofluidic actuation and control technologies to microfluidics, making microfluidic actuation and control technologies more complex and diverse.

[0003] There are many types of microfluidic actuation and control technologies, employing different principles and forms, which can be categorized into pressure-driven, electro-driven, thermal-driven, surface tension-driven, and centrifugal-driven technologies. Microvalves, as fluid manipulation components, can open and close fluid channels and switch fluid flow directions, making them one of the most important components in microfluidic technology platforms. With the rapid development of microfluidic chips, the reactions they can handle will increase, and the liquid flow processes within the chips will become increasingly complex. In this process, microvalves, acting as liquid flow direction switchers and fluid channel switches, need to shoulder more functions, and their performance and manufacturing cost will become one of the bottlenecks in microfluidic technology. Existing valve-type microfluidic chips have complex structures and are cumbersome to operate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In order to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art, one of the objectives of this invention is to provide a valve-type microfluidic chip that is simple in structure and easy to operate.

[0005] One of the objectives of this invention is achieved through the following technical solution:

[0006] A valve-type microfluidic chip includes a main body, which has a storage area and a detection area. The main body also has a first connection port and a second connection port. The first connection port is connected to the storage area, and the second connection port is connected to the detection area. The valve-type microfluidic chip also includes a rotary valve with a connecting groove. The rotary valve is rotatably mounted on the main body. When the rotary valve is rotated to a first position, the connecting groove is connected to the first connection port and the second connection port, so that the storage area is connected to the detection area. When the rotary valve is rotated to a second position, the connecting groove is offset from the first connection port and / or the second connection port, and the storage area is disconnected from the detection area.

[0007] Furthermore, the valve-type microfluidic chip also includes a base, the base including a plate and a snap-fit ​​portion extending from the plate. The plate is fixed to the main body, the plate having a first through hole and a second through hole. The first through hole communicates with the first communication port, and the second through hole communicates with the second communication port. The snap-fit ​​portion snaps with the rotary valve, causing the rotary valve to be rotatably mounted on the base. When the rotary valve rotates to the first position, the communication groove communicates with the first through hole and the second through hole.

[0008] Furthermore, the latching part is arc-shaped, and the rotary valve is located inside the latching part.

[0009] Furthermore, the first through hole and the second through hole are located inside the latching portion.

[0010] Furthermore, the base is made of a transparent material.

[0011] Furthermore, the rotary valve includes a valve body and a gasket mounted on the valve body, and the communicating groove is disposed on the gasket.

[0012] Furthermore, the gasket is made of silicone.

[0013] Furthermore, the main body is also provided with a waste liquid area and an exhaust port communicating with the waste liquid area, and the waste liquid area is connected to the detection area.

[0014] Furthermore, the main body is also provided with an injection port and a sample dispensing port, which are respectively connected to the storage area.

[0015] Furthermore, the main body also includes a mixing block located within the detection area.

[0016] Compared to existing technologies, the valve-type microfluidic chip of this invention includes a main body, which has a storage area and a detection area. The main body also has a first connection port and a second connection port. The first connection port is connected to the storage area, and the second connection port is connected to the detection area. The valve-type microfluidic chip also includes a rotary valve with a connecting groove. The rotary valve is rotatably mounted on the main body. When the rotary valve is rotated to a first position, the connecting groove is connected to the first and second connection ports, so that the storage area and the detection area are connected. When the rotary valve is rotated to a second position, the connecting groove is misaligned with the first and / or second connection ports, and the storage area and the detection area are disconnected. Through the above design, the connection between the storage area and the detection area can be controlled simply by rotating the rotary valve. The operation is simple, and the overall structure of the chip is simple. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the valve-type microfluidic chip of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Exploded view of a valve-type microfluidic chip;

[0019] Figure 3 for Figure 1 A 3D view of the base of the valve-type microfluidic chip;

[0020] Figure 4 for Figure 3 Another perspective view of the base;

[0021] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A 3D view of the rotary valve of a valve-type microfluidic chip;

[0022] Figure 6 This is a cross-sectional view of the valve-type microfluidic chip of the present invention in the disconnected state;

[0023] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the connected state of the valve-type microfluidic chip of the present invention.

[0024] In the diagram: 10. Main body; 11. Base plate; 110. Storage area; 111. Detection area; 112. Waste liquid area; 113. Mixing block; 12. Top cover; 120. Injection port; 121. Sample inlet; 122. First connecting port; 123. Second connecting port; 124. Vent hole; 20. Base; 21. Plate; 210. First through hole; 211. Second through hole; 212. Slide groove; 22. Snap-fit ​​part; 30. Rotary valve; 31. Valve body; 32. Gasket; 320. Connecting groove. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0026] It should be noted that when a component is said to be "fixed to" another component, it can be directly on the other component or it can be fixed through another intermediate component. When a component is said to be "connected to" another component, it can be directly connected to the other component or it may be fixed through another intermediate component. When a component is said to be "set on" another component, it can be set directly on the other component or it may be set through another intermediate component. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this document are for illustrative purposes only.

[0027] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. The terminology used herein in the description of the invention is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 The valve-type microfluidic chip includes a main body 10, a base 20, and a rotary valve 30. The base 20 is fixed to the upper surface of the main body 10, and the rotary valve 30 is rotatably mounted on the base 20. The opening and closing of the flow channel inside the main body 10 is controlled by rotating the rotary valve 30.

[0029] For details, please continue reading. Figure 1 as well as Figure 2 The main body 10 internally comprises a storage area 110, a detection area 111, and a waste liquid area 113. The storage area 110 is disconnected from the detection area 111, while the waste liquid area 113 is connected to the detection area 111. The detection area 111 is located between the storage area 110 and the waste liquid area 113. The main body 10 also includes an injection port 120, a sample dispensing port 121, a first connecting port 122, a second connecting port 123, and a vent 124. The injection port 120 and the sample dispensing port 121 are connected to the storage area 110, the first connecting port 122 is connected to the storage area 110, and the second connecting port 123 is connected to the detection area 111. The vent 124 is connected to the waste liquid area 113. Inlet 120 is used for injecting reagents, sample inlet 121 is used for adding samples, and vent 124 facilitates the removal of air from the detection zone 111, preventing the formation of air bubbles in the sample solution and allowing the sample mixture to quickly enter the detection zone 111 from the storage zone 110. It also prevents the sample from overflowing from the chip through the vent 124. Multiple mixing blocks 113 are provided within the detection zone 111, and these blocks are staggered along the flow channel to facilitate liquid mixing.

[0030] The main body 10 is made of a transparent material, such as glass, PMMA, or PDMS. The transparent material has high light transmittance, facilitating observation and acquiring high-quality images. The main body 10 includes a base plate 11 and a top cover 12 fixedly connected to the base plate 11. A storage area 110, a detection area 111, and a waste liquid area 113 are recessed on the base plate 11. The depth of the storage area 110 and the detection area 111 is 0.3-0.5 mm. The depth of the waste liquid area 113 is 0.06-0.10 mm. An injection port 120, a sample dispensing port 121, a first connecting port 122, a second connecting port 123, and a vent 124 are all located on the top cover 12. The injection port 120 and the sample dispensing port 121 are located above the storage area 110 and at the end furthest from the detection area 111. The first connecting port 122 is located above the storage area 110 and at the end closer to the detection area 111. The first connecting port 122 extends along the height direction of the main body 10. The second connection port 123 is located above the detection area 111 and near the end of the storage area 110. The second connection port 123 extends along the height direction of the main body 10.

[0031] In other embodiments, the main body 10 may also be a three-layer structure, with the middle layer having through grooves to form flow channels and different functional areas in the upper, middle and lower layers.

[0032] Please continue reading. Figure 3 as well as Figure 4 The base 20 includes a plate 21 and two latching portions 22 extending from the upper surface of the plate 21. Both latching portions 22 are arc-shaped, and each latching portion 22 has a latching protrusion at its top. The plate 21 has a first through hole 210 and a second through hole 211, the positions of which correspond to the first connecting port 122 and the second connecting port 123. The plate 21 also has a sliding groove 212 for rotating the extension foot of the rotary valve 30.

[0033] Please continue reading. Figure 5 The rotary valve 30 includes a valve body 31 and a gasket 32 ​​mounted on the valve body 31. A connecting groove 320 is recessed in the gasket 32, and the connecting groove 320 is in the shape of a straight line. The connecting groove 320 connects the storage area 110 and the detection area 111. The gasket 32 ​​is made of an elastic material to facilitate sealing of the connecting groove 320. Specifically, the gasket 32 ​​is made of silicone.

[0034] Please continue reading. Figure 6 as well as Figure 7 When assembling the valve-type microfluidic chip, the plate 21 of the base 20 is fixed to the upper cover 12 of the main body 10. At this time, the first through hole 210 is aligned with the first connecting port 122, and the second through hole 211 is aligned with the second connecting port 123.

[0035] When using a valve-type microfluidic chip, with the rotary valve 30 closed (at this time, the connecting groove 320 is offset from the first through hole 210 and / or the second through hole 211), reagent is pre-injected through the injection port 120. Then, a sealing film is used to seal the injection port 120 and the sample dispensing port 121, thereby achieving reagent pre-sealing. When using the chip, firstly, rotating the rotary valve 30 drives the gasket 32 ​​to rotate, so that the two ends of the connecting groove 320 are connected to the first through hole 210 and the second through hole 211 respectively. At this time, the valve opens, and the storage area 110 and the detection area 111 are connected. When injecting liquid, the tip is used to puncture the sealing film of the sample dispensing port 121 to inject the sample. The sample and the pre-sealed reagent enter the detection area 111 together through the rotary valve 30. After being mixed by the collision and diversion of the mixing block 113, the excess liquid enters the waste liquid area 112.

[0036] Let's take vaginal secretion microscopy as a specific application scenario for further introduction:

[0037] The reagent pre-sealed in storage area 110 is vaginal secretion staining solution. With rotary valve 30 closed, the staining solution is injected into injection port 120 beforehand. Then, sealing film is used to seal injection port 120 and sample application port 121, thus pre-sealing the vaginal secretion staining solution. During microscopic examination, firstly, rotating rotary valve 30 rotates the gasket 32, connecting the two ends of the connecting groove 320 at the bottom of gasket 32 ​​to the first through hole 210 and the second through hole 211, respectively. At this time, the valve opens, connecting storage area 110 and detection area 111. During injection, a tip is used to puncture the sealing film of sample application port 121 to inject the vaginal secretion sample. The sample and pre-sealed staining solution enter detection area 111 through rotary valve 30. After being mixed and stained by the collision and diversion of mixing block 113, excess liquid enters waste liquid area 112. Then, detection area 111 of the main body 10 is placed under a microscope for observation.

[0038] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of the present invention, and their descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, but they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention patent. It should be noted that, for those skilled in the art, several modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. These are all equivalent modifications and improvements made to the above embodiments based on the essential technology of the present invention, and all of these fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A valve-type microfluidic chip, comprising a main body, the main body including a base plate and a top cover fixedly connected to the base plate, the base plate being recessed to form a storage area and a detection area, characterized in that: The main body also has a first connecting port and a second connecting port, which are disposed on the upper cover. Both the first and second connecting ports extend along the height of the main body. The first connecting port communicates with the storage area, and the second connecting port communicates with the detection area. The valve-type microfluidic chip also includes a rotary valve and a base. The rotary valve has a connecting groove and is rotatably mounted on the main body. The base includes a plate with a first through hole and a second through hole. The positions of the first and second through holes correspond to the first and second connecting ports. The plate is fixed to the upper cover. When the rotary valve rotates to a first position, the connecting groove communicates with the first and second connecting ports, connecting the storage area and the detection area. When the rotary valve rotates to a second position, the connecting groove is offset from the first and / or second connecting ports, disconnecting the storage area from the detection area.

2. The valve-type microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The base also includes a snap-fit ​​part extending from the plate body. The plate body is fixed to the main body. The snap-fit ​​part snaps with the rotary valve, causing the rotary valve to be rotatably mounted on the base. When the rotary valve is rotated to the first position, the connecting groove communicates with the first through hole and the second through hole.

3. The valve-type microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The latching part is arc-shaped, and the rotary valve is located inside the latching part.

4. The valve-type microfluidic chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The first through hole and the second through hole are located inside the buckle portion.

5. The valve-type microfluidic chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The base is made of a transparent material.

6. The valve-type microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The rotary valve includes a valve body and a gasket mounted on the valve body, and the communicating groove is disposed on the gasket.

7. The valve-type microfluidic chip according to claim 6, characterized in that: The gasket is made of silicone.

8. The valve-type microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body is also provided with a waste liquid area and an exhaust port communicating with the waste liquid area, and the waste liquid area is communicating with the detection area.

9. The valve-type microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body is also provided with an injection port and a sample dispensing port, which are respectively connected to the storage area.

10. The valve-type microfluidic chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body also includes a mixing block located within the detection area.

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